Thirumullaivasal Sri Mullaivananathar Temple, Nagapattinam

Address

Thirumullaivasal Sri Mullaivananathar Temple, Thirumullaivasal Post, Sirkazhi Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 113.

Diety

Mullaivana Nathar, Amman: Ani Konda Kothai Ammai

Introduction

Mullaivananathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Thirumullaivasal in Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India which is dedicated to Shiva.The temple was constructed by the Early Chola king Killivalavan. The presiding deity is called as Mullaivana Nathar. His consort is known as Ani Konda Kothai Ammai. It is believed that goddess had her initiation in this place.It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Tevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar.

Puranic Significance

Chola King Killi Valavan, grandfather of Karikal Valavan, was suffering from skin disease. As advised by his doctors, he came to this place for a holy dip in the sea and in the temple’s Chandra Theertham. The place was densely covered with jasmine (Mullai) plants which entangled the legs of his horses. In order to clear the way, the king started hacking the plants with his sword but was shocked to see blood oozing from there. He cleared away the shrubs and found a bleeding Shivalingam there. The king was overcome by grief that he had damaged the Shivalingam. In order to repent for his mistake, the king tried to sever his head but Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi appeared before him and stopped him from doing so. The king built a temple where he found the Shivalingam and named the lord as “Mullaivana Nathar” (“Mullai” means jasmine, “Vanam” means forest and “Nathar” is a respectful suffix in Tamil). This lingam still bears scar marks due to the cut from the king’s sword.Another legend is that of Susavi, a scholar and teacher of Vedas who lived in the erstwhile Pandiya Naadu. He performed many yagnas. After his death and as per his wish, Vamadeva, his eldest son placed his bones and ashes in a pot in order to immerse it in the holy waters of many Shiva temples. When he reached this place, he met Markanda Rishi in his Ashram. The rishi advised him to dissolve the bones in this temple’s Vishnu Theertham. When he put the bones in the waters, they turned into diamond stones. He then performed all the last rites for his father here to enable him to obtain salvation.

Beliefs

It is believed that the holy river Ganga springs in this temple’s well. It is strongly believed that devotees who chant the Panchakshara mantra in the temple on Solar and Lunar eclipse days and on new moon days (Amavasya) will be blessed with prosperity and happiness. It is believed that by doing so devotees will be able to break away from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth. Since this is the place where Lord Shiva imparted knowledge to Goddess Parvathy, lots of students worship the lord here to seek his blessings for their educational pursuits.

Special Features

It is believed that Goddess Parvathy worshipped Lord Shiva here to learn the “Panchakshara Mantra” (the five-letter mantra), “Na Ma Shi Va Ya” and its meaning from him. Pleased with her worship, Lord Shiva imparted the knowledge of the mantra (Upadesam). Hence the lord here is considered as a teacher (Guru) and the goddess as a pupil. Because of this, there is no “Palli Arai” (bed chamber) and the poojas associated with it. It is believed that Lord Indran, King Yudhishthira (Dharmar) and serpent Karkkodagan have worshipped Lord Shiva here.